Dog Diarrhea

Diarrhea in dogs is diagnostically worked up by first
differentiating between small bowel diarrhea and large bowel
diarrhea.  Dr. Sam discusses how we do this and why this is
important in figuring out the cause of the dog diarrhea and
how we treat the dog diarrhea.

Post a message or ask a question on our new Dog Health Problems Advice Forums

Diarrhea in Dogs

Dog Diarrhea first needs to be differentiated between
diarrhea caused by the small intestine and diarrhea caused
by the large intestine.  This can be done largely from the
symptoms that you are seeing.  Small bowel diarrheas in
dogs tend to be large volume, sometimes with vomiting and
weight loss, and rarely with accidents in the house.  Large
bowel diarrheas in dogs are associated with a sense of
straining both before and after the bowel movement, and
sometimes blood or mucous are seen.   

Causes of small bowel diarrhea in dogs include inflammatory
bowel disease, intestinal parasitism, enteritis, liver and
kidney disease, hormone disorders, protein-losing
enteropathies, and some cancers  among other conditions.  
Diagnostic tests that need to be performed include a fecal
flotation, cbc/chemistry panel, abdominal x-rays, and
intestinal absorption tests to start.

Causes of large bowel diarrhea in dogs include colitis and
rarely cancer.  Colitis simply means inflammation of the
colons or large bowel.  Diagnostic tests include a fecal
flotation and sometimes bloodwork and abdominal x-rays.

Please note that sometimes diarrhea may have both a small
and large bowel component to it.  Treatment depends on
what disease is found to be the cause.

- Sam Meisler DVM

The statements or information on this website have not
been evaluated by the FDA and are not intended to
diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.